In 1887, A.W. Whitcomb erected a sawmill on this site, powered by water from the river. In 1890, the land was platted and the settlement became the Village of Big Falls. In 1923, Big Falls was incorporated, and today it is one of the smallest incorporated villages in the U.S.A. Early forests were logged here, and lumber and shingles were milled, while a granite quarry operated below the dam. The early village, with nearly 500 residents, was served by stores, churches, hotels, railroads, saloons, a blacksmith shop, creamery, roller skating rink, ice cream parlor, coffin maker, banks, feedmill, post office, and a school. After the forests were cleared of timber, Scandinavian and German farmers tilled the fertile soil. Today, the greater Big Falls area has seen a return of timber production and lumber milling, along with the continuation of family farms.